It is my last day in Wyoming. As I reflect on my time here, two aspects stand out the most: (1) how much I have enjoyed deepening my understanding of insects, and (2) how much I have cherished sharing experiences with the people I have met.
During my CLM internship, I developed a deeper understanding of insects while gathering field data, pinning insects collected from the field, and poring over reading material. In addition, I learned about insects from the Wyoming research team. A big thanks to Sarah DePaolo, Michael Dillon, Lusha Tronstad, Sadie Todd, and Aaron Strube for sharing your knowledge on many topics, including new insect collection techniques; recollections on insects you adore; details on wing venation necessary for bee species identification; and suggestions of potential graduate supervisors, who study pollinators, for me to contact.
The CLM internship, which took me far away from home (Vancouver, Canada), also helped me meet new people. I fondly remember sharing many experiences during and after working hours with them. For example, in the field, we spotted wildlife, such as the horned lizard and pronghorn. Eating at Anong’s Thai restaurant with our group — especially when we ate family style — brings back great memories. In addition to my team members, I met others who I have also thoroughly enjoyed spending time with, including Joy Handley (botanist at the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database), Leon Miller (University of Wyoming Education student who kindly let me stay with him and his family for 1.5 weeks), and Abby Dockter (CLM intern on a Seeds of Success project in Wyoming). Joy showed me around the Rocky Mountain Herbarium at the University of Wyoming. Vedauwoo and its beautiful scenery was a treat to share with Leon, Marcie, Onyx, and Jade as we hiked around. Abby and I met near the end of my internship, but we did not let that stop us from having many adventures, such as making chokecherry jam, “nerdy window shopping” (which involved bookstores), biking, and attending local performing arts events.
I return to my RA at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver with many new ideas and fond memories. I intend to keep in touch with those I have met, and to further expand my understanding of insects.